SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND
YOUR GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S BIG matches
Main event Celtic v Motherwell
TWO games into a run of three and Celtic have had a controversial penalty in each match. Brendan Rodgers (right) is unbeaten in six games against the Steelmen but Celtic have already dropped six points at home this season. With 14 goals against Motherwell in their previous three Parkhead meetings, the Bhoys will be confident of making it 67 games unbeaten. PROBABLE TEAMS:
CELTIC (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Simunovic, Tierney; Armstrong, Brown; Forrest, McGregor, Sinclair; Griffiths. MOTHERWELL (3-5-2): Carson; Kipre, Hartley, Dunne; Cadden, Grimshaw, McHugh, Rose, Tait; Moult, Bowman. Referee: Kevin Clancy.
Ross County v Dundee
DUNDEE had to wait 25 years for a home win over Rangers but made it back-to-back Dens successes last weekend over the Ibrox side. Today’s trip to Ross County is a different prospect and Neil McCann’s men have won just once in their last nine trips to Dingwall.
PROBABLE TEAMS:
ROSS CO (4-2-3-1): McCarey; Naismith, Fraser, Davies, Kelly; Draper, Routis; Gardyne, Keillor-Dunn, Dow; Schalk.
DUNDEE (4-4-2): Parish; Kerr, Aurtenetxe, Hendry, Meekings; O’Hara, McGowan, Kamara, Deacon; Allan, Moussa. Referee: Steven McLean.
Hearts v Hamilton
IN what is the third of five consecutive matches at Tynecastle, the wait for a Hearts win back in Gorgie goes on. Accies are unbeaten in the previous two games against Hearts, but Martin Canning’s men lost 2-0 the last time they visited this stadium, which was their 43rd defeat in 53 visits.
PROBABLE TEAMS:
HEARTS (4-4-2): McLaughlin; Brandon, Buaben, Berra, Smith; Walker, Cochrane, Djoum, Milinkovic; Goncalves, Stockton.
HAMILTON (4-4-1-1): Woods; Sarris, Gogic, Tomas, McMann; Skondras, MacKinnon, Docherty, Imrie; Templeton; Rojano. Referee: Bobby Madden.
St Johnstone v Kilmarnock
AFTER finally ending their goal drought, Saints picked up a win two weeks ago and haven’t played since. Tommy Wright will be praying his side haven’t lost any momentum as they host a Kilmarnock side who have won on each of their last three trips to Perth.
PROBABLE TEAMS:
KILLIE (4-4-1-1): MacDonald; O’Donnell, Greer, Broadfoot, Findlay; McKenzie, Power, Frizzell, Taylor; Erwin; Boyd.
ST JOHNSTONE (4-2-3-1): Clark; Foster, Anderson, Shaughnessy, Tanser; Paton, Craig; Alston, Davidson, O’Halloran; MacLean.
Referee: John Beaton.
Partick Th v Hibs
IT IS almost two weeks since Partick Thistle last played but the Jags will be seeking revenge following a 3-1 loss to Hibs on the opening day of the season. Alan Archibald’s team have beaten Hibs in just one of the last five clashes — in March 2015, the last time the Leith men visited Firhill.
PROBABLE TEAMS: PARTICK TH (4-2-3-1): Cerny; McGinn, Turnbull, Keown, Devine; Barton, Lawless; Spittal, Edwards, Erskine; Doolan.
HIBS (4-4-2): Marciano; Whittaker, Ambrose, Hanlon, Stevenson; Boyle, Slivka, Bartley, Barker; Stokes, S Murray.
Referee: Craig Thomson.
Sunday game Aberdeen v Rangers
Kick-off: 12.30pm. TV: LIVE Sky Sports Football. ONLY three points separate the sides after Rangers’ 3-0 thumping of the Dons in midweek, so Pittodrie boss Derek McInnes will be keen to restore their six-point cushion. The last time Rangers visited the Granite City, the men from Ibrox left with a 3-0 win — which was their fourth win in their last five trips. PROBABLE TEAMS: ABERDEEN (4-2-3-1): Lewis; Logan, McKenna, Considine, Shinnie; O’Connor, Tansey; Mackay-Steven, McLean, May; Rooney. RANGERS (4-4-2): Foderingham; Tavernier, Alves, Wilson, John; Jack, McCrorie, Pena, Holt; Windass, Miller.
Referee: Willie Collum.
vital statistic County have won six of the last eight games against Dundee in Dingwall. vital statistic Accies have left Tynecastle with victory just five times in 53 visits. vital statistic 21 Saints have won 21 of 66 games against Killie in Perth. vital statistic Two of the previous seven meetings at Firhill have ended in draws.